The MX-5 Miata of the Monthfrom

August 1998

Congratulations to David on the selection of his
Miata, as our August
Miata of the Month!

Let me start a long time ago, it was the summer
of 1981, I had just finished a four year hitch in the United States Marine Corps, and had
just returned from the Island of Okinawa. It was the last day of August and I returned to
the states via Camp Pendleton located in the heart of Calif. There were cars of all kinds,
everywhere you look there were sports cars, low riders,customs, and exotics. But the one
car that struck my fancy was a 1975 MGB roadster, Black in color with a tan interior. The
car was at a stop light in the city of Oceanside, about 25 miles from L.A. I walked over
to the car and asked the owner if she wanted to sell the car. She replied "are you
serious? It's a mess." I replied "I think it's a work of art." She than
smiled and said that she would part with the car for a mere $2,500. I asked her if she
would give me her number and that I had to go the base in order so that I could withdraw
the money from the credit union. She said that she would do better than that, that she
would drive me to the credit union. (I didn't know at the time if that was a blessing or a
curse.)

After we arrived at the credit union and the monies were withdrawn,
the sale went smooth. In about 15 minutes I was the proud owner of a 1975 MGB Roadster.
After getting the car on the road legally it was off to the PCH. (Pacific Coast Highway)
Oh what a time I had, nothing but the sun and wind in my face, it was like this is what I
fought for, the Freedom to be Free, to do what you wanted when you wanted. After about 3
weeks it was time to head back home to Massachusetts, 3000 miles away. Then it hit me:
Should I trailer the car or should I drive it across country? The decision wasn't easy but
I decided to drive.

What a mistake! The car broke down several
times along the way, until the final time it broke down and the mechanic said I needed a
new engine. I was faced with a serious decision. Should I fix it again or sell it and fly
the rest of the way home. Well I decided that after the mechanic said it would be $1,500
to fix it, to sell it. I sold it to the very same mechanic for the sum of $2,000, not bad
$500 plus extra's along the way and the fun of driving a great car across America.

So you're probably asking how is this related to the
Miata.........I'm getting there. After finally getting to Massachusetts and saying hello
to everyone, it was back to work I went. Several jobs and several major industrial
accidents. First it was my left eye. I lost sight for 6 months and the doctors didn't know
if I'd see again, but I've regained about 90% of my sight after a lot of physical rehab.
Second came my left hand- crush between the wall and a 8000 lb. forklift. Again, after
several operations, they said I'd lose the use of my left hand (by the way, I'm a lefty.)
I proved them wrong again and worked through the pain and got back about 77% usage.
Through this time I had been stashing away dollar upon dollar to finally be inspired to by
another sports car, though I didn't know which one or even if I could afford it when the
time came. But I was determined to have another sports car.

Then in 1992 the world came apart, I was at
work giving my 110% as normal, and I turned and picked up a box weighing only 50lbs and I
fell to the ground, letting out an ungodly yell in pain. I couldn't feel anything below my
waist, everything I worked for was gone. My life was over. What do I do now? They rushed
me to the hospital and performed emergency surgery to remove the exploded disks in my
lower back. The outcome was unknown, but the operation was a must. Again, after many, many
months of rehab, (and I'm still in rehab today), after facing suicide several times, I
decided that being a Marine taught me to never give up - that everything, if you work hard
enough, can be worked through. So I decided once again to do the rehab at a 110% and give
it hell.

Well, during the years I got married to a lovely woman named Donna,
my rock and soul mate, and had two beautiful daughters named Lacey & Blayne. I
couldn't turn my back on them and leave them without a father. Month after month with no
improvement, I kept on. Finally I began to do better, feeling came back and I was up and
walking around. It was an unbelievable feeling that is not explainable. But my life was
returning to me. I could once again begin to enjoy the feeling of being alive. Sure,
things have changed, but that's the beauty of it. Things changed, but it gave me a new
outlook on life.

Then in 1997 while I was driving down the coast
I spotted the ultimate Roadster. There she sat on her high perch, a beautiful Black with
Tan leather Mazda Miata. Like the MGB, I knew that I had to posess her. My wife was
concerned that because it was a standard shift that I would not be able to enjoy the car.
I told her that I would continue to work through the pain, but I had to have that
car.It was like it was drawing me to it, like nothing else ever did in my life, even more
than the MGB. The next day I went back to the dealership and bought the car. The first
drive was down the coast with the top down, and I was living again. My wife say's that
that my life and attitude has change unbelievably for the positive since I bought the car.
When ever I take a drive in the car the pain seems to just fade away. Oh, what a perfect
Roadster!!! I have already purchased a full body aero kit, new Dunlop D40M2 tires, Momo
wheels, and dual roll bar. All of these parts have been plated in 24k gold. Everybody
stops me to compliment me on the car, but I just say thank you and tell them to thank
Mazda for not only a fantastic car but for giving me back my life.

I would like to say one more time:

Thank you all at Mazda for a second chance, and keep up the great
work!!!!!